"Favorite Color"

1: Fall In Your Arms

Sally was falling, collapsing through the air as the wind flooded her ears with the sound of its thunderous roars. She watched, stunned into silence, as the sky and clouds zoomed by her, melting into a speedy, splotchy blur. She could hear the cries and shrieks of her friends, but only faintly. They were so far away, and the ground was steadily growing closer and closer. If something didn't happen soon, she'd be a splat on the ground, and wow, that'd be such a horrible way to meet her demise.

She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer to Chaos, resigned to her fate, when arms, solid and warm and all too real for them to be just some hopeful thought conjured up by her distraught mind, suddenly wrapped around her slender waist, tugging her closer to an equally solid body. Shocked beyond all possible belief, Sally could only stare into the blazing crimson depths of her savior. He held something in his hand, and Sally immediately recognized it as a Chaos Emerald. A rich, beautiful red color, it easily matched the color of his eyes, she noted.

"Chaos Control!" In a flash, Sally soon realized that she was no longer falling to her impending doom. Safe and sound and out of immediate danger, it was nothing short of a miracle. Feet on the ground, legs unsteady, Sally could only scowl, her gaze narrowed in annoyance directed at herself. How could she be so reckless as to let Eggman get the best of her? Had her mind been more invested in the battle, he would've never caught her off-guard.

"Are you okay?" She was tugged out of her self-loathing thoughts by the sound of her rescuer. Gaze flickering towards him, it instantly hit her that the person who saved her was none other than Shadow the Hedgehog. And when she came to such a realization, her face flushed with embarrassment. It was just her luck that her crush had caught her, literally(!), in such a weak moment. She'd never live such a moment down, she was sure of it.

"Besides my wounded pride, I'm good, Shadow," Sally answered, a wry grin on her face. Her heart fluttered at the sight of him smiling, even though it was only a small one. At least she had her sense of humor going for her, if nothing else.

"You shouldn't be so quick to chastise yourself or doubt your skills, princess. The doctor has caught us all of guard at least once. It happens to the best of us," Shadow reminded her, and while his expression was stoic, his voice was gentle, and Sally found herself smiling genuinely, her bruised ego mended.

"Thanks, Shadow. I really appreciate it. Sometimes I have a tendency to be too harsh on myself. It's something I've been trying to shake off, but old habits die hard. And thanks for saving me earlier. I would've been a goner if you hadn't have intervened when you did."

"Think nothing of it, princess." He was quick to wave off her thanks and gratitude, which was so typical of Shadow, Sally couldn't stop herself from laughing. At the puzzled look he gave her, it made her laugh that much harder. "Did I say or do something funny?" Sally shook her head, covering her mouth in an attempt to muffle her laughter.

"No, I'm just being silly. Pay me no mind." He regarded her a moment or two longer, and she fought hard to remind still and not fidget under his piercing gaze. He grunted before averting his gaze, and she inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. That was definitely a close one.

It didn't take long for Sonic to find them, Sonic barreling into her before scooping her up into his arms, hugging her so tightly that she feared her lungs would burst. He loosened his grip on her when he noticed her discomfort, and Sally was free to return the hug, burying her face in the crook of his neck, letting his warmth envelope and soothe her. He knew without her saying anything that she was afraid that she would've died, and he himself was afraid of the same fate. He didn't think he could've forgiven himself if he unable to save one of his very best friends.

His emerald gaze landed on Shadow. The elusive hedgehog was standing off to the side, looking down at the rocky ground. Sonic was thankful for him saving Sally's life. He was afraid that the message he sent didn't go through, but he relieved that it wasn't the case. Sonic was so preoccupied with battling Eggman that he didn't notice something was amiss until Sally screamed.

Thank Chaos Shadow was quick on his feet and had a Chaos Emerald on him. Sally was safe and sound and back in one piece, Eggman was defeated (until he came up with another kooky scheme), and he thwarted Eggman for the billionth time. All in a day's work, if he did say so himself.

"You okay, Sal? You scared the heck outta me back there," Sonic joked because humor was something he excelled in, and he knew making Sally laugh would keep her happy and calm.

"I'm fine, Sonic. Thanks to Shadow, of course." And Sonic didn't miss the way Sally's gaze drifted towards said hedgehog, a look of longing swimming in the depths of her eyes. She was so lovesick it was almost comical. She could rival Amy's affections for him! He wasn't sure how long his best friend was crushing on the aloof hedgehog, but he knew she was really feeling him. What she would do about said feelings, he didn't know. What he did know, however, was that he would love and support who through whatever she decided.

"It was no trouble, princess. I couldn't very well let you plummet to your doom, could I?" His lips were curled into an all too familiar smirk, and while Sally was swooning, hearts damn near dancing in her eyes, Sonic was inwardly gagging. Seeing his best friend trying to flirt with Shadow was not what he had planned for the day.

Sally eased herself out of his embrace, huddled closely by his side, their hands clasped together. Again, Sonic didn't miss the way Shadow's gaze darted between their closeness or how they were holding hands; he had a look on his face that made the blue blur wonder just what he was thinking. But that expression disappeared as quickly as it appeared before he had a real chance to decipher it.

Chaos Emerald held firmly in his grasp, he turned away from them both, clearly getting ready to make his departure. He spared them a glance over his shoulder, his gaze lingering briefly on Sally, before he Chaos Controlled to Chaos knew where. Sonic sighed, eyes shutting briefly. He felt the beginnings of a headache blooming and he wasn't sure why. He had a hunch it had something to do with Sally's predicament, but he'd question her about it later.

Right now, he was hankering for something to eat, preferably a chilidog. So, he scooped Sally up into his arms, and she immediately wrapped her arms securely around his shoulders and neck. And as soon as she was situated, Sonic was speeding off, leaving behind nothing more than clouds of dust and gusts of wind.